The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) CPS rates that were published today are incorrect. The correct rates are to be updated and published later today. Additional rate information will be shared as it is made available on the RCPA website and to members.
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has released bulletin ODPANN 24-083. This communication is to announce the release of the latest issue of the CI Spotlight, which can be found on the Certified Investigator Program Home Page. This edition of the CI Program Spotlight includes articles on interviewing people who don’t communicate in universally understood ways, Temple University’s CI Peer Reviews, and more.
If you have a suggestion for a future Spotlight article, please visit here to submit your suggestion.
The FDA has approved and authorized for emergency use updated COVID-19 vaccines (2024-2025 formula) that include a monovalent (single) component that corresponds to the omicron variant KP.2 strain of SARS-CoV-2. These vaccines were updated to provide better protection against COVID-19 caused by circulating variants. Two vaccines are available for use in the United States: 2024–2025 Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine and 2024–2025 Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine. There is no preference for one vaccine over the other when more than one vaccine is recommended for an age group
Who should get the vaccine?
Everyone ages 6 months and older should get the 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccine. This includes people who have received a COVID-19 vaccine before and people who have had COVID-19. The COVID-19 vaccine helps protect you from severe disease, hospitalization, and death.
It is especially important to get your 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccine if you are:
People who recently had COVID-19:
Certain factors could be reasons to get a vaccine sooner rather than later, such as:
Keep in mind:
RCPA will be hosting our fall golf outing to support the RCPA PAC on Monday, September 23, 2024, in conjunction with the Annual Conference. Conference attendees, exhibitors, sponsors, and presenters can now register to participate in the RCPA PAC’s golf outing at the Colonial Golf & Tennis Club at 4901 Linglestown Road, Harrisburg, PA 17112. Registration and lunch will be held from 11:00 am – 12:00 pm, with the shotgun start beginning at 12:00 pm.
Sponsorships are available for this worthwhile cause. We hope you will consider becoming a golf outing sponsor; it is a great way for your organization to receive name recognition as well as an opportunity to support the RCPA fundraiser!
Not a golfer but would still like to support the RCPA PAC? For your convenience, you can now make a personal online contribution, which will provide financial support to state legislators or representatives who have demonstrated a strong, consistent, and positive interest in our legislative priorities. If you are interested in learning more about the RCPA PAC or donating, please visit our website, download the PAC FAQ Card and Donation Card, or email Jack Phillips, Director of Government Affairs.
See you on the golf course! If you have any questions regarding registration, please contact Christine Tartaglione.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has released an informational bulletin, as well as a slide presentation, that are related to continuity of coverage for individuals receiving home and community-based services (HCBS). The purpose of the bulletin is to highlight the federal renewal requirements and available flexibilities to promote continuity of coverage.
ANCOR is working in partnership with the State of the States in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Project of National Significance at the University of Kansas to evaluate promising practices and strategies to enhance technology use by people with I/DD across the US and the landscape of access resulting from flexibilities provided during the COVID-19 pandemic.
It is essential that ANCOR drives a high response rate to ensure they capture a full picture of what providers are doing and experiencing in the field. Please help them not only get the word out, but also encourage your members to participate! Take the survey here.
But wait! There’s more… ANCOR will also be offering a sneak peek at the results during their upcoming Tech Summit on October 29! After that, the full report will be released by the University of Kansas, which they will share, as well.
The Information Sharing and Advisory Committee (ISAC) met today and discussed several items of interest. Deputy Secretary Ahrens provided an update on the budget and Performance-Based Contracting, including changes made to the program based on public comment. The Deputy Secretary reported that more than 95% of current residential providers have signed a new contract, and a small number have submitted their data to be evaluated for a tier assignment in the first submission period. The majority of providers appear to be waiting until February 2025 to submit data for tier assignments.
UPDATE: The PowerPoint presentation is now available and can be viewed here.
ODP is still in the procurement process of finding a Performance Analysis Service (PAS) provider. Madeline Wagner has joined the ODP staff as the PBC Measure Coordinator and began in July. The Supports Coordinator Strategic Thinking Group is planning to reconvene on September 11, 2024.
ODP staff provided updates on the strategies that are being utilized to work toward ISAC recommendations. Recommendation #2, Promote Self-Direction, Choice & Control, and Recommendation #14, Racial Equity were reviewed.
Recommendation #1, Assure Effective Communication, and also Recommendation #8, Simplify the System, were also discussed.
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